European coach reveals key to help The Cong Viettel secure second place in the table

Coach Velizar Popov reveals the factor that helped The Cong Viettel defeat Hanoi FC to rise to second place in the table.

The victory in the key match against Hanoi FC helped The Cong Viettel climb to the second position in the standings. In the context of Ninh Binh's declining form, Coach Velizar Popov and his team fully seized the opportunity with two convincing consecutive wins.

The win against Hanoi FC was not only significant in terms of points but also demonstrated The Cong Viettel's resilience during a crucial phase of the season. Despite missing four key players, the military team maintained balance in their play, particularly in defensive organization and match control.

Sharing after the match, Coach Popov candidly stated: "For me, The Cong Viettel did not play perfectly, but the tactics were good. The team had four important absences and had to adapt. The Cong Viettel controlled the ball well and minimized defensive errors." According to the Bulgarian strategist, tactical discipline was the foundation that helped the team overcome personnel difficulties.

Not only did they control the first half well, The Cong Viettel also showed flexible adjustment ability when the opponent changed their approach in the match. Coach Popov assessed: "In the second half, when Hanoi FC switched to playing with two forwards to find an equalizer, we made timely adjustments and made things difficult for them". This is considered a tactical highlight in the military team's victory.

After the Lunar New Year holiday, The Cong Viettel's form has improved markedly. Two victories against strong opponents like Nam Dinh and Hanoi FC helped them overtake Ninh Binh to take second place in the table. Comparing this to the previous win against defending champions Nam Dinh, Coach Popov said: "The team played well in the first half, creating more chances than in the win against Nam Dinh. Although we missed the opportunity to make it 2-0 in the second half, the important things are the 3 points and the players' disciplined performance".

The current momentum is providing a significant psychological advantage for The Cong Viettel ahead of the next round. In the upcoming match, Velizar Popov's side will travel to Go Dau Stadium to face B.TP HCM as visitors, aiming to continue their winning streak and solidify their position in the top group of the table.